Cruisin!

What a wonderful first day and a half of our Alaska Cruise on the “Celebrity Century”!

We departed from Vancouver around 4 pm on Sunday 1 September. Not hard to see why it’s acclaimed as one of the world’s great harbours, though I still reckon Sydney Harbour is up with the rest. What Sydney doesn’t have is nearby mountains topped with snow.

Having had a late buffet lunch at the Deck 11 ‘Island Cafe’, we soon joined in the party atmosphere out on the man decks – upbeat music played as we moved out of th Harbour, eventually into the Inside Passage

Having just eaten we sat down in the impressively decked-out main dining room for potentially five-course meal … we settled for three! Our waiters, both from Croatia were wonderful. We’ll get to know them well before week’s through. Beautifully – prepared food!

Before turning it in for a9 pm early night (been up since 3), the four of us hit the dance floor for a while. Nice. Lots of live music, with a bit of a jazz flavour throughout. Back in our surprisingly roomy stateroom we found it freshly made up -chocolate on pillow as well.

Imagine my surprise and delight t find myself waking at 8 – 11 hours sleep. I’ve been surprised how jet-lag hasn’t really hit; no doubt due to being quite active in our sightseeing a few days earlier in San Francisco.

Today has been a cruising day. Leisurely buffet breakfast, a briefing on tomorrow’s tour options, more food, then a short arvo nap, a chance to catch up on the Australian papers through wifi on my iPad’s “The Courier Mail” and “The Australian”, as well as some chapters of “Inferno”.

Tonight was formal dress for dinner; another lovely meal (Dale enjoyed crispy frogs legs) followed by “Dance around the World” at the Celebrity Theatre. Top presentation.

Tomorrow afternoon we anchor off Icy Strait Point, where we’re tendered (think lifeboats) to the jetty for some tours, including one involving dances by native Tlingit people.

Praying for some sunshine – today has been misty right through.
Loving this cruise so much (as is Dale) … and it’s only Day 2!